Don't self-medicate, seek specialized support

In the current context of high prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders, one of the most common and dangerous mistakes is self-medication.

Many people, when experiencing symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, prolonged sadness, or persistent anxiety, choose to take medications without a prescription, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, or even vitamins and supplements.

This practice can not only be ineffective, but also carries significant health risks.

Risks of self-medication

One of the main dangers of self-medication is that it masks the real symptoms, delaying proper diagnosis and timely intervention.

It's like covering a leak with duct tape: it gives the illusion of a solution, but the leak continues to grow until it causes further damage.

This can lead to the disorder progressing to more serious or chronic stages, where symptoms not only interfere with functioning but can even lead to suicidal thoughts.

In addition, side effects and interactions with other substances are a real and frequent risk.

For example, taking multivitamins without knowing your true deficiencies can cause serious imbalances.

Some people take supplements or medications recommended by family, friends, or even social media, without considering that each body is different and that excess or combination of certain substances can produce adverse effects.

In addition, some common drugs alter mood or interfere with the nervous system, such as hormone treatments or medications for chronic diseases.

Importance of professional support

Given this situation, seeking specialized support becomes essential. Professional care allows for a comprehensive, accurate, and safe approach to the disorder.

First, specialists can identify whether the symptoms are biological, psychological, or social in origin and, based on this, define the best treatment plan.

As explained above, depression and anxiety have a clear neurobiological basis, involving neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, with cortisol playing a key role.

If the body is already affected, pharmacological intervention is likely to be necessary.

But medication alone is not enough. The most effective treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and medication, if required.

Therapy allows the root causes of the disorder to be addressed, negative thought patterns to be changed, coping skills to be improved, and support networks to be strengthened.

Medication, on the other hand, helps to stabilize brain chemistry at critical times, but it does not resolve emotional conflicts or triggers on its own.

It is important to emphasize that treatment must be adjusted according to the patient's progress. What works today may not work later, so ongoing professional support is vital.

Some people need to change their dosage, therapeutic technique, or even therapeutic approach, moving from cognitive-behavioral to psychoanalytic, for example.

For all these reasons, we emphasize: do not self-medicate. Mental health deserves the same care as any other medical condition.

If we notice that “something is not working well,” as with the car analogy, it is not enough to keep driving.

We must stop, assess, and seek help from a professional who knows exactly how to repair the system before the damage becomes greater.